Blake Incarcerated

Winehouse's husband sentenced to jail

21 July 2008 - Amy Winehouse's husband has been jailed for 27 months for attacking a pub landlord and perverting the course of justice.

The sentence was handed down to Fielder-Civil today at London's Snaresbrook Crown Court.

He has already been on remand in Pentonville Prison for the past nine months, suggesting that he could spend a further 18 months in jail.

This will come as a huge blow to Winehouse who has been telling the public for weeks that she expected him to be released soon.

Blake's hopes dashed by judge

Even in court things were looking hopeful for Blake, at one point Judge David Radford mentioned the words 'community order' during the sentencing after which Blake actually hugged his co-defendent Michael Brown thinking he would be released today. However, the Judge was quick to say "No", this wouldn't be the case and that Blake would be going to jail.

Blake's defence lawyer stated that Blake should have been released today, that he was almost over his drugs habit and that he hoped to be a role model to his wife.

Gratuitous, cowardly and disgraceful

Fielder-Civil pleaded guilty to assaulting James King, at the Macbeths pub in Hoxton, east London, in June 2006. He also admitted trying to make Mr King withdraw his complaint using a £200,000 bribe.

The attack left Mr King needing plates fiting into his face for a broken cheekbone and Judge David Radford told Fielder Civil, he behaved in a "gratuitous, cowardly and disgraceful way."

"You behaved in a gratuitous, cowardly and  disgraceful way". Judge David Radford on Blake Fielder-Civil

Three other men were also sentenced. Michael Brown, also admitted assault for his part in the attack and was jailed for 33 months.

Anthony Kelly, 25, from Chalk Farm, north London, was given a custodial sentence of 20 months after admitting perverting the course of justice. James Kennedy, 19, from Hatfield, Hertfordshire, who also admitted the charge, was given a 40-week sentence at a young offenders institute, suspended for 12 months.

The Judge said Fielder-Civil was "high on alcohol and cocaine" when he attacked Mr King outside the pub.

Mistaken sense of loyalty

He also said Fielder-Civil joined in the attack "out of a mistaken sense of loyalty" to his friend and that it would be "of little comfort" to Mr King that he did so "because of his inebriation."

The court heard that after the attack, Mr King was bullied into withdrawing his statement against Fielder-Civil and his friend, Brown, who offered him the bribe to drop his assault complaint.

Mr King was found not guilty of perverting the course of justice at a trial in June.

Amy Winehouse was not at court to see her husband's sentencing take place.


Elizabeth Alker